LOS ANGELES – MONDAY, MAY 6, 2013 – The two candidates for mayor of Los Angeles today said they supported California’s Parent Trigger law and expanding efforts to help parents organize in other failing Los Angeles schools.

Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel, who are both progressive Democrats, made their comments during separate ‘meet-and-greet’ sessions with parents from the 24th Street Elementary School earlier today. These parents recently used the Parent Trigger to turnaround their failing school starting in the 2013-2014 school year. The parents recently extended an invitation to both candidates to meet with them.

Despite steady rain, about two dozen parents and children met with the candidates in a local park near their school. Following candidate remarks, parents had the opportunity to ask questions of each candidate and to share their personal stories and concerns.

“We are pleased Wendy Greuel and Eric Garcetti were able to visit with us this morning to listen and talk with us. It was very encouraging to hear both of them congratulate us on our work to turn around 24th Street Elementary School and express their support for the use of Parent Trigger. We know there are many other parents, just like us, trapped in failing schools around Los Angeles, who will feel more confident knowing the next mayor of Los Angeles wants parents to be able to use Parent Trigger to bring about change,” said Amabilia Villeda, lead parent organizer for the 24th Street Elementary School Parents Union.

“Today’s visit by Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel is an important milestone for Parent Trigger and Parent Revolution. Just over a year ago, the National Conference of Black Mayors, followed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, unanimously announced their organizational support for Parent Trigger laws. Two months ago, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villagairosa came to the same local park to stand with the parents of 24th Street. Now, the two candidates for mayor are unequivocally showing their support for Parent Trigger as a way for parents to transform a failing school,” said Ben Austin, executive director for Parent Revolution.

“It is clearly evident Parent Trigger has support across the political spectrum. Party politics do not play into this support. Local elected officials – and the candidates for mayor of the second-largest city in the country – are making it clear they support a kids-first agenda, including empowering all parents to have a seat at the decision-making table for their child’s education. Not long ago, Parent Trigger was considered to be a radical new law. Now, it’s considered radical to oppose it.”